Spanish Exploration Time line 1500-1650

The Spanish Explore Florida Spain claims land in the Americas Spanish explorers and soldiers begin to go over to Americas Riches, Adventure, and to become rich through trade National Glory Convert Native Americans to Christianity

Vocabulary Grant- a large sum of money Conquistador- what spanish soldiers and explorers were called “conquerors”

Juan Ponce de Leon Sailed with Columbus on his second voyage Helped conquer Puerto Rico In 1513 starting search for a island for the “Fountain of Youth” Ended up finding a land he called La Florida or “flowery” in Spanish Claimed this land for Spain In 1521 he settled in Florida and later died. Became the first Spanish Explorer to set foot on land that became the United States

Early Conquistadors

Hernando Cortes In 1519 sent from Spain to find gold in land of the Aztecs. Landed in Mexico with about 650 soldiers Marched right to the Aztecs capital Tenochtitian (80,000 Sq. miles) Population 5 million in the empire. Some Aztecs did not like strict rules and turned against their people. Helped the Spaniards

The Fall of the Aztecs Many Aztecs died in battle Aztec’s believed that a light- skinned god would come one day to rule them. Cortez used this to his advantage Took Aztec emperor prisoner (Motecuhzoma) Fighting broke out between the Spanish and Aztecs Aztecs were strong fighters but did not have horses or guns. Many Aztecs died in battle Most died from diseases from Spanish soldiers In 1521 Cortez conquered the Aztecs Made the land Mexico City Became the Capital of Spain’s new empire in the Americas.

The seven cities of gold Cortez finds lots of gold among the Aztecs Spanish leaders hear a myth about the Seven Cities of Gold Sends a priest named Marcos de Niza and a enslaved African man named Estevanico Estevanico is killed during expedition and Niza returns saying has seen the golden city.

FrACISCO Vasquez de Coronado Heard about Marcos de Niza’s story In 1540 set out to find the cities of gold Explored lands that are now the southwest regions of the United States Never found the cities of gold Claimed lands for the Spanish lands Mexico, Southwestern United States, and Florida “NEW SPAIN”

Francisco Pizarro Spanish Conquistador In 1531 led expedition into the western coast of South America Met with people from the Inca Empire Priest traveling with Pizarro told the Inca people that they had to accept Christianity and Spanish Rule The Inca’s said no, so Pizarro and his army took over the Inca Empire

Inca Empire location

Machu Pichu

Hernando De Soto Spanish Conquistador In 1539 took 600 soldiers from Cuba and sailed to Tampa Bay Later Became the first Europeans to see the Mississippi Met many Native Americans during his trip Many of these meetings ended in bloody battles In 1542 De Soto died of a fever Only 300 of his 600 soldiers actually survived this expedition. Spanish now claimed most of the Southern United States

Religious Reforms In 1517 German priest named Martin Luther started to call for reform (Change) This period is called the Reformation Luther was forced out of the church Those who protested Catholic leaders were called Protestants Began new churches including Lutheran Church Changes were taking place in Europe People started questioning the power of the Catholic church Church forced people to follow it’s rules and pay taxes

Counter-reformation Catholic Church made some changes Banned books that went against teachings People who protested Catholic Law were punished in church courts

Spreading Power Catholic Church decided to send missionaries to the Americas(religious teachers) Church leaders wanted to gain more followers in the Americas. Tried to convert Native Americans, but some were forced to convert and enslaved them.